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Information for Family and Guests

Commencement weekend for the Class of 2017 will be May 19-21, 2017.

Click here for a full Schedule of Events. We hope you are able to join your graduate as they celebrate this momentous occasion in their academic career. Below you will find some information and resources to help you get the most out of this very special occasion.

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Seating Information

If your graduate's commencement ceremony will be held on Wilson Field, then no tickets are required for attendees. We encourage our graduates to invite as many guests as they would like to celebrate this achievement. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. All seating for our outdoor ceremonies is on artificial turf, so sunscreen and sensible shoes are recommended.

If your graduate's ceremony will be held in the Musco Center for the Arts, tickets will be required for all guests attending. The number of tickets allotted per graduate and distribution details have not been finalized. Please check back soon for details.

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Closing Convocation

Closing Convocation is an all-school academic ceremony designed to honor the achievements of the graduating class. Major faculty and student award winners are acknowledged and the Senior Gift is presented. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes and is followed by the President's toast, where the President raises a glass to this year's graduates. Closing Convocation is for graduates and their guests, and attendance is optional.

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Alternate Viewing Locations

All university ceremonies will be streamed in real time to both Beckman Hall, Room 404, and on select screens in the Student Union in Argyros Forum for guests.

Additionally, links to the live webcasts will be published on the Chapman Commencement website during commencement week so that ceremonies may be viewed by family and friends around the globe.

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Weather

There is no rain plan for Chapman Commencement exercises. Ceremonies will take place as scheduled unless a downpour or electrical storm create a safety hazard.

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Guests Needing Special Accommodations

All Chapman University parking locations provide designated handicapped parking spaces. Please make the appropriate arrangements with your group if you need to drop off a guest close to the ceremony site.

Guest seating for commencement exercises is at field level, and there is no designated seating for guests in wheelchairs. Wheelchairs may be placed on the outside edge of a row next to the rest of the family. While the University does not have wheelchairs available for guest use, we invite you to peruse this list of local vendors who provide wheelchair rental services.

For guests with hearing impairment, captioning will be available on the large screens near the stage.

Questions regarding special accommodations may be directed to Chapman Commencement at (714) 997-6740, or contact us via email.

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Parking

Parking will be free in all designated parking structures and lots, and curbside permits are not required on local streets during Commencement Weekend. Please allow yourself ample time to park your car and walk to your ceremony site. Additionally, allow yourself plenty of time to navigate out of parking areas following the ceremony when you are considering making dining reservations.

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Commencement Photos, DVDs, and Flowers

Chapman University's trusted professional graduation photographer will capture various photos of the graduate, on stage and portrait-style. They will email photo proofs and ordering instructions directly to graduates within two weeks after the ceremony.

Family and guests are not allowed near the stage during the ceremony to take photos. Guests are encouraged to remain in their seats during the duration of the ceremony.

Our DVD professional, Graduation Nation, will offer an edited DVD of each ceremony for approximately $45 each, including shipping. DVDs will be made available in August, after the May ceremonies. You may place a DVD order online with Graduation Nation.

Graduation Bouquets will be on campus near both ceremony venues offering flowers and leis for purchase.

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Twitter Ticker

We know that our graduates have friends and family supporting them both at the ceremony and around the world. Please share your celebrations and congratulations with us on Twitter! Tweet your messages using #CHAPMANU and your tweets may appear on the Commencement jumbotrons.